There's always has to be a time when someone else has to ruin a good thing for someone. My poor little Ninja got ran over... if you want to see the carnage, click here.
Anyhow, time to move on!! I really wanted a Harley, but not just any Harley. I wanted something different, but something that has character, a bold look, and well... just something different than a sport bike that is.
So even though I was looking around, and I wasn't even planning on getting a replacement motorcycle right away. In fact, I was going to wait until the following year to start talking turkey. But, in my spare time, I had run into a motorcycle that I saw back when I was in high school. Even though I wasn't into motorcycles back in high school, I remember seeing this motorcycle in person and online. It was a sweet looking bike. Something that has personality and character all wrapped up into one. It happened to be the one I purchased.
I'm the second owner of this bike, and fellow that purchased it new only put 1,926 miles on it. Yes -- That many miles. He kept it in his house in his dining room. His wife wanted him to get a bigger motorcycle, and one that he'd actually use. So he sold it to me and I was more than glad to take it off his hands.
So how does it ride?! Well... it rides like a non-isolated frame mounted engine motorcycle should ride. At idle it's shaky, but the magic happens when you are riding down the road. Talk about smooth. You can ride over bumps and not even feel a thing. Wind -- my old Ninja would be all over the road. Not with the Harley, heck you can't even feel it and it don't even try to tip you. The whole experience is awesome. It's much different than riding a sport bike.
How is it on fuel? I get between 56-62 mpg depending on how I'm riding. I only get a measly 170 miles out of measly 3.3 gallon tank. Unlike the 300+ miles I'd get out of Ninja's 4.8 gallon tank. But it's not that big of a deal, that's what the trip meter is for.
The only other quirk is getting used to the 5 speeds instead of the useful 6 speeds. But I've over come that already.
Overall, it's one heck of a motorcycle, and I plan on keeping it forever. I have no reasons to ever get rid of it.
Specifications:
Model: Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster
Year: 2003
Category: Custom / Cruiser
Engine and transmission
Displacement: 883.00 ccm (53.88 cubic inches)
Engine type: V2, four-stroke
Torque: 68.00 Nm (6.9 kgf-m or 50.2 ft.lbs) @ 4400 RPM
Compression: 9.0:1
Bore x stroke: 76.2 x 96.8 mm (3.0 x 3.8 inches)
Fuel system: Carburetor
Fuel control: OHV
Cooling system: Air
Transmission type, 5 Speed Wet-Clutch
Final drive: Belt
Chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels
Front tire dimensions: 100/90-19 57H
Rear tire dimensions: 130/90-HB16 73H
Physical measures and capacities
Dry weight: 245.0 kg (540.1 pounds)
Seat height: 758 mm (29.8 inches), lowest setting.
Overall length: 2,235 mm (88.0 inches)
Ground clearance: 154 mm (6.1 inches)
Wheelbase: 1,510 mm (59.4 inches)
Fuel capacity: 12.50 liters (3.30 gallons)
Color options: Racing orange
Photos:
More to come...
